Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company

The Bahrain-based Gulf Petrochemicals Industries Company (GPICPIC), manufactures petrochemicals including methanol, urea and ammonia for the automotive, chemical and agricultural industries.

The government-owned GPICPIC was established in 1979 as a joint venture between the Saudi Basic Industries CorporationSaudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABICSABIC), the Holding Company for Oil and GasHolding Company for Oil and Gas (HCOGHCOG) and the Petrochemical Industries CompanyPetrochemical Industries Company (PICPIC). It produces 1,200 tons of ammonia, 1,200 tons of methanol and 1,700 tons of urea per day, as of 2011.

Feedstock shortages have forced the suspension of a BHD263 million (USD700 million), ammonia/urea expansion project, which was expected to be completed in 2010. The project, which would double GPIC’s capacity to 3,300 tons of ammonia per day and 5,300 tons of urea per day, may resume after a gas supply decision has been made in April 2011.

GPICPIC also halted construction on its methanol plant in Manama, with an expected capacity of 4,800 tons per day. The project, costing BHD376 million (USD1 billion), was suspended in 2006 due to gas feedback storage—construction is expected to resume by 2015.